I had an unsettled childhood, and went to 14 schools before age 13. I left school at 16, If I had had a teacher as passionate about their material as either of you - even once - it would have made a profound difference in my life. Philip said exactly how I feel about booktube - this community gives me the ability to grow my understanding and appreciation for something I already love, through conversations with people who care as much as I do. Thank you both - SO MUCH - for bringing your teaching energy to us.

The conversation on education was truly heartening to hear! Simultaneously negative but also positive to hear two educators echo the thoughts that the majority of students feel is really needed sometimes to put in to perspective at what level education is being corrupted and that there are still those teaching with passion for their students. And then the whiplash of Jock Philip was fantastic lol

I have been waiting for this chat forever, and it was totally worth the wait. The conversation about education was so emotional and it saddens me that we have reach to this level. However it's really refreshing to have 2 enthusiastic and dedicated educators talk it out like that. The rest was just pure gold. I loved spending 2 hours just listening to you guys. Thank you for the awesome content and RESPECT to both of you.

Having gone through the Finnish educational system I can vouch for it being pretty good. I had multiple teachers take time out of their schedules to read my silly fantasy writings and critique them on their own time, and I wasn't the only one they did this for. It's amazing what motivation and being dedicated can give a person the energy to do.

I'm in my late 30s and was pretty lucky with teachers for the most part during school, but maaaaan I would have loved to have either you or Allen as a teacher, it would have been a gamechanger. Thanks for the great chat as always!

I would have loved to have either of you as a teacher. I hated history growing up, but I had filmstrip teachers up until college. I was forced to take one history course, and I loved it! Also, I invited one of my high school teachers to my wedding, because she was a huge part of my life for four years and I wanted to show my appreciation.

I pretty much got c's in most classes except for history I got straight A's because I was actually interested in it. My history teacher would always defend me to the other teachers and they would look at them crazy, like he's your best student but he sleeps in my class lol. A good history teacher is worth their weight in gold!

Second half of this video is one of the best discussion I've ever heard on KZfaq not just booktube. I love wear you say getting good grades does not mean you have knowledge.

Loved your Origin story Allen.

I enjoyed this talk immensely. Any conversation where I start joining in, talking to the screen, even though no-one can hear me, is a win in my book. ♥️

While I have alot of passionate things to say about the way education treats the humanities, I'll avoid that high horse. Instead, I want to express how mind blowing it was when I took courses that studied John Locke, or the romantic poets, and the enlightenment. The beauty and growth that comes with learning and seeking knowledge. Watching the art and culture grow is something I wish our society appreciates.

There is nothing better than an Allen Walker truth rant. Great discussion! And D&D with you all would be amazing 👏

Yeah, this was 2 hours of my life well-spent. I loved listening to you two chat! 🤩 And even though it was quite sad to hear about the state of education, it's just incredible to see how much passion you both have for your jobs. I have also always loved languages etc., so I can definitely relate to feeling like my interests/knowledge are somehow inferior to that of people who study something outside of the humanities department. Also, I 100% agree with you that actually gaining knowledge and learning how to think critically is way more valuable than any sports stuff. And yes, yes, yes, students will for sure remember and appreciate their former teachers. Some teachers I had in high school are still some of my favourite people ever, because I truly feel like they helped me grow as a person and feel more confident about my own study/life choices. Thanks for this wonderful chat. It was a joy to watch 🤍

Thank you for the conversation, gentlemen. Regarding your discussion about putting together these videos, I just want to hear you talk about books. I've recently started watching Raf Blutaxt's channel and all he does is grab a bottle of beer and start recording. That's good enough for me.

Great episode guys, the conversation between two educators about the education system was fascinating to listen to, but it's a depressing state of affairs. I've never played D&D but booktube D&D has me very excited!

What an absolutely riveting discussion this was! Grammar and classical languages , King Killer ( which I was ecstatic to learn you both have read AND taught ), the hopes and struggles of being an educator, suggested TBR’s and gaming involving my favorite Booktubers!! Bravo Gentleman!

I'm like a month late to this - I wanted a day where I could watch the whole thing at once. The part where Allen is talking about teaching, and how passionate he is, and that kids will turn up just for that class - to know how the story ends - absolutely incredible. Gods I wish I had an experience like that.

I 100% agree with you guys about the state of education in this country. I used to want to major in English because I loved to read and write. I actually took 2 years of an English major in college before completely switching majors to biology. And now I'm in healthcare, all because I realized that I couldn't make a living from English. And this was 20 years ago. I can't imagine how bad it is now.

I love hearing you two discuss the education systems in which you work As someone who knows more about education theory than anyone needs, it's always fascinating to me to hear about how various places "function"

Soooo good. Really enjoyed the education discussion (my wife is a teacher and I hear the same frustrations from her for the past 20 years that she has been teaching), the system is so aggravating.

Absolutely loved listening and watching this. I am a firm believer in classical education, and my two boys attended (in college now) and currently attend a classical academy (charter, so no tuition😁). The curriculum is excellent and includes Latin, Western Civilization, Literature, art, etc. They also take math and science courses, but the emphasis is in the humanities. My son who is now in college is minoring in Classical Studies, and is thinking about majoring in Latin and potentially becoming a teacher or professor. There is hope in education, and I see it daily in my sons.😁. Once again, loved listening to this!

Allen will love that book. Its so focused.

This will be taking up my afternoon 👌

Another great episode! I have to say I was really moved because of the conversation around education and what Allen said about how only STEM is really valued sometimes. Speaking from personal experience I've always been the "art" kid especially in highschool. I was an AP student in every art/literature class I could get. However, my math and science classes always lagged behind. It made me feel like I was just plain stupid sometimes because it just didn't come easily to me. It got to the point where I spent my first year in college at a school known for medicine and engineering. I realized about 9 months in that I was the most unhappy I had ever been. I dropped out and about 4 months later I enrolled into an art based college and just last week I got my degree in Graphic Design and I was Valedictorian of my class. I don't know if anyone currently in highschool or college will see this but I just wanted to say that there are so many different types of intelligence and new ways to create a life with your passions. You are valuable and you can do something that isn't "a real job". Again, what a lovely conversation about what we value as a culture. I grew up in Spain and moved to the US and I was shocked to see how different the cultures shift and what's deemed important.

Is that still a Christmas tree in Allen's background? That's dedication!

As a soon-to-be-graduated college student who studies incredibly niche humanities-centered topics, it was so great to hear this conversation. I just want to scream with you both about how ridiculous the education system is right now

This was absolutely brilliant to watch, both really passionate great to see 👌

Great chat, gentlemen! Nice to see two teachers wax poetically about the joys of learning and the immense power that teachers have to transform lives. Loved to hear Alan’s backstory as well.

Another incredible chat! Wow, so much in common with you guys, I was so excited for all of it I ended up watching it in one sitting ^^ You two are incredible human beings and I love that you touched on such a great subject with education and the things we value as a culture. It's really interesting to see (and sad I guess, too) that these issues are so much bigger than just one country. I'm Venezuelan and I saw so much of the things you mentioned in our own education system back when I still lived there. I share your hope that the great teachers out there like you guys give your two cents on why it is important to raise critical thinkers and well rounded citizens. Looking forward to seeing you guys play DnD together, I bet it will also be a blast.

Took a couple of days to watch, but it was worth it. Such a great conversation. I have a few comments... If you ever make it to Greece, up in Macedonia, near the town of Veria is a museum with the tombs of Philip II and Alexander IV. The museum is buried underground and is built around the tombs. It's really neat. I know a lot of people who said that college killed reading for them. Fortunately, I chose to make sure I always had some time to read for pleasure. Some friends wondered how I had the time. I told them I _made_ the time. I identify a bit with the jock thing. Although I did not play any of the Big 3 sports, so maybe I was not a jock but simply an athlete. I ran track and cross country, along with several in one of my social groups. We were kinda the jock-nerds: honor roll, Honor Society, loved sci-fi/fantasy. You know... totally NOT popular. 😀 The teacher rant was spot-on. Allen's Book Jeopardy is my favorite thing on KZfaq.

Wow I definitely keep learning a lot from you two guys. These conversation took some interesting turns and I completely agree with the education problems the world is facing at. And in the country where I live we face the same and more problems. But as Dr Fantasy said, we have to have hope that reasoning will prevail. I can't wait to see that d&d campaign, even if it's half as good as book jeopardy is gonna be awesome. Also got interested in K J Parker work. These episode sure was filled with a lot of awesome stuff. And my comment is loosing coherence, but keep it up

I would love some classics taught by Allen, specially some latin. Dr Chase doing a series on Thomas Covenant, that would be a treat for the mind.

Early in the video but wanted to give you Kudos Philip on how respectful and engaged you are in this series 👍👍❤️

Highly enjoyed this!! Two of my fav booktubers = 🙌🙌

Yesss Lord of the rings re read!!! I would join for that

A lot of thoughtful talking points. I particularly liked the content creation section and both of your different approaches. I also would've loved taking your fantasy literature class in college. One was offered at mine until the year I graduated high school, then it got cancelled. I had be content with independent study haha.

Another great conversation. I enjoy your Dear Dr. Fantasy.

Great chat so far! Was only able to watch the first half today and will watch the rest tomorrow. But great to hear you both on why you love teaching. Also wondering if I could sue my high school for not providing me with a Latin teacher like Allen. Loved hearing about your language learning journeys even though it makes me feel quite old. In the mid 80s I had started university. And of course more origin stories!😄 Thank you, for a great first half! To be continued.

That starting conversation is why I want to teach. It’s nice to see it in my fellow students, because many don’t have that desire for knowledge. I think it is an encouraging thing when erudition is actually sought. So I’m not a teacher but I love teaching, if that makes sense. Maybe one day I’ll actually be qualified, seems like it’s taking forever.

For me, fantasy (also sci-fi, but let's focus on fantasy here) is an amalgam (is that an English word or did I just badly translated from French, here... oh well 🤷‍♀️) of creativity, imagination and human studies. I love how everything is possible but also very much relatable. I find it helps me broaden my horizons. I also love that, although the books are often long, I get to spend a lot of hours with characters I love in an environment I'm fond of, which I really apprecitate. When I want to read something more realistic, I tend to gravitate towards non fiction memoirs, especially some that discuss implicitely or explicitely on resilience like Breath becomes air, The glass castle or Know my name.

So happy to watch you two have this wonderful conversation!!! Love the clickbait thumbnail! I just played my first D&D session last weekend, so maybe I'm the one going through the mid-life crisis. I wish I were good at languages. My brain just doesn't learn them well though I've always enjoyed singing in different languages. Loved the education rant though sad for the reasons prompting it. I failed Freshman English (because I was a rebel and didn't want to read what was assigned either), so there is always hope! 😁

Loved the discussion about the education system!

This was a great installment of Dear Dr Fantasy, Philip. I enjoyed hearing two educators discuss the current state of academia at its various levels. On another note, you mentioned that you read some books about writing while you were writing your books. I was wondering if you had any recommendations for books on writing that you found particularly useful.

This was so much fun! I am right there with you guys on the way priorities are placed in education. It’s a travesty.

I've never had a group of friends to play D&D with, but if I did, in every video game I play, I am decidedly one of the number min / maxers who loves to build the most overpowered characters possible. I feel attacked by Allen 😅

You guys were talking about how difficult writing is. When I was in grad school and having to write papers and my thesis, I received the best advise. My professor said "when you're writing your first draft, drink. Potentially a lot. You can edit sober later, but you'll stay out of your way if you're drinking." 🤣 obviously, I was over 21.

I have good memories of weekend D&D campaigns. I too played through the 80's. I still have a (heavy) chest full of all the books, modules, dice, etc.. (mostly original and 2nd ED) that I've been carting around ever since which I haven't been willing to let go of in hope of playing again one day. Although I'm not sure that will happen for me anymore. It will be nice to imagine being part of a campaign on youtube if you go into one with Allen. I remember the troubles D&D had in opinion, where some people back then were saying "Oh no! You don't want your children playing some violent game like that. It's evil. Satanic" etc.. Those people having no idea of the playing of it, where within the boundaries of some rules you'd basically create your own stories. I giggle at comparing it to some games now. The game made you think. Got people to be creative. I think many young people put in front of it today might be those, like Allen mentioned in the classroom, that would throw up a blank face waiting for the next instruction rather than checking a reference or figuring out what to do in their situation. It seems a sign of the times, like some great hypnosis, where even some of my adult friends have become people who would say "you do this because that's what you do". No questions allowed. The disappointments in the education system have been prevalent for decades. I remember having to do a laboratory course to get a "required certificate" for a work place where the educational laboratory equipment was so very outdated it made it a pointless education. You'd have to learn on the job anyway. The teachers were badly paid and expected to teach using equipment that made it impossible to teach what was required. The argument against funding new stuff and staff was that more funding needed to be put into administration. Ironically admin had better computers than the lab and we could not access them. So the funding went to those doing the paperwork so students could get a piece of paper which wasn't worth the ink printed on it in terms of knowing anything of value.

I definitely relate to the love of languages and grammar that probably has its foundation in learning Latin in high school! I've had a hard time buckling down and learning languages because there are so many that I'd love to know and I didn't know where to begin. Having a partner who is fluent in another language definitely helps with that aspect

Hi, love watching your channel. I'm wanting to read more fantasy but I read other things. Right now I'm reading a fantasy in a graphic novel form, called monstress. It's really interesting so far.

On the brighter side of things, I love linguistics and languages. I wish my high school had courses in all that. Like Allen I also love Japanese, since it’s related to the research I’m doing for my novel and series.

In Italy Latin is compulsory in high school. Before that I was studying English and French and I remember never liking them until I started Latin and it really helped me to understand languages better. We also have different kind of high schools, and you can choose whether you want to attend a school that is more focused on science/math or one that does mainly humanities. Or course, all schools teach all subjects, but you can actually choose which one has more importance to you. I always thought that to be a great thing about our school system. I also believe it depends on the countries. Like in Italy culture and history are just too important to be ignored. But maybe other countries might be more focused on technology and the future instead of the past.

I always knew I was going to go into STEM since I was born legally blind, but as a child in school I was very gifted and never challenged - to the point I never studied a single moment in my life through K-12. This wasn't due to lazy teachers, but education generally being tailored to prevent the slowest kids from falling behind. As teachers taught, I just went ahead in the book and learned on my own if the subject interested me - like math. This was somewhat of a problem in my undergraduate work, but I mostly still coasted by with a 3.6 or so without having to study at all. By this point I was way too lazy to study, and it wasn't really a problem until graduate school, where I had a bad habit of waiting until 3 AM the night before to start an assignment due at midnight. I never really liked English because I felt like we were doing the same grammar basically ever year from a certain point onward, and the reading material they made us read was atrocious. I was a big weeb, so I would have loved to take Japanese in college, but it wasn't offered until graduate school (and while there, I thought the rules around my graduate assistantship prevented me from taking it, which ended up being a misunderstanding), so I just took the minimum of Spanish for the requirements and never cared about it. I sympathize with the both of you for your struggles with teaching. Teachers are indeed paid like shit, and that's why I knew I never wanted to be one. Then I go to open houses or whatever for my brother and hear the children "screeching" for lack of a better word, and I'm like "Was I ever this annoying? How did my teachers not kill me?" One of my favorite quotes is applicable for this education discussion: “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'” - Isaac Asimov

Very cool conversation between the two of you. I got a pretty deep understanding of the "dark underbelly" of the educational world. In fact, I have a few friends that are teachers, middle school and high school (and I was a substitute for a couple years) so I know that things certainly have changed since my high school days... but I will admit, my love of learning came later on in life.

D&D is HAPPENING?! SO FREAKIN AWESOME

YEAH!!!! ANOTHER DEAR DR. FANTASY!!!

Another fantastic episode of Dear Dr. Fantasy. Slightly depressing for someone who is considering going into teaching at some point after I get my Bachelors, but was a great thing to listen to for a couple hours

Fantastic discussion gentlemen! Ever think of offering an online course on Fantasy in Literature? Can't wait to see that D&D game!

I've been having problems trying to find the first one in Sandman series. I seem to find all the other. So, my next buy is Saga. This is something I don't think I could pull off. I'm 57 and my tastes are different. I did read Brandon Sanderson first storm light book and loved it. It was really, really long.

That was a great semi-ranty video for a bleh Tuesday afternoon. Note for Allan: give Philip a cape, perhaps the pelt of some animal in crazy heat. 🤣🤣🤣

I had a similar experience in 5th grade where I got a 'needs to improve' in reading as I only read Teo books that quarter. In my defense the two books were Return of the King and Dune. The gaming group sounds fun. And perhaps a stronger challenge for a Stabby next year against Critical Roll.

thanks fellas!

Beats are amazing and very good for you. Try roasting them and put them on a salad with goat cheese and a balsamic vinaigrette.😋

I loved the rant against the school system! I initially started college with the intent of teaching algebra to high school students... ended up as a paralegal 🤣 I certainly feel like I dodged misery, that's for sure!

Wow, if only my history teachers at school did voices for historical characters. It was dates and reigns and "list the four main causes of...", so I learned to appreciate history only later on.

Bit late to the party, but about the part of kids not studying. I feel like teaching how to study should be a major part of early education. My highschool grades were absolutely abysmal, as I had never needed to or learned to study properly. In Uni I had to really pull it together somehow and improved by almost 2 grades on average. The mixture of having more passionate educators, subjects I was more into and teaching myself how to learn really made such a difference.

It's heartbreaking to hear about the state of Humanities. If we destroy humanities, we will surely destroy ourselves. ☹

Finland mentioned, great talk you guys! Your education system in the States seems to be a a mess, but to be fair, we've had our difficulties with the system here in Finland as well

I'd like to see a booktuber D&D game with you guys and Mike

Ah, got to love Allen and so sad to hear about the state of education in the US. Especially if they want to control what is being taught and how.

Really enjoyed the discussion. I went to school for childhood education. I'm not currently teaching for the exact thing Allen discussed. I got really tired of all the nonsensical things that surrounded the physical teaching and learning. It took the fun away.

Allen. How many elements of Lion of Macedon by Gemmel were on point? Just heard you say about Phillip studying in the southern states and sure I remember Parmenion meeting him there.

Of course I watch Allen's channel as well! So happy he's now promoting KJ Parker 😄 Excellent talk once again, Dr Fantasy. Education may be ailing, but we're better off with the both of you spreading your teachings here 🤓 Looking forward to that DnD game, by the way. Sounds good. And maybe we'll see Dr Fantasy make an appearance on Book Jeopardy too, someday? 😇

I have been waiting for this

👍 great video 🎬📖🎥🎥

You two should partner with KZfaq and create KZfaq University. You can gather passionate teachers and professors to build communities with equally passionate students and learners. Just like how cable television became awful and streaming services have all but replaced it, we need a new form of education to replace the current broken system. I think Phillip, you have alluded to this before how underutilized the internet and even KZfaq are. We could easily create the ultimate education and learning platform, instead we spend hours sifting through misinformation. I truly think you guys could help pioneer a new segment or transformation of this platform to reform education

Treated myself to the second half. And no surprise it's as good if not better than the first! The state of education. We talked about this before so no need to repeat this. But it's sad and almost frightening. 😬😱😭Cameras in classroom? Really? So not surprising in a world where companies record every keystroke of their employees and even monitor their toilette breaks. If I ever get doubts about having made the right decision in leaving education I will watch this video again! Reading as a form of self care. I so agree and loved how you described that. And look at the gamer in you getting all excited. I actually watched a gaming session with Erikson taking part not too long ago and would definitely watch you and Allen. In other news: About halfway through Night of Knives and having a great time. Why is BookTube not all over this author? In more other news: I created a second channel on my youtube account. We see if it will lead to anything and I'll actually upload a video. (Yes, I can be as teasing as you Philip.😁).

Surely Professor Fireballs, Erikson and Esslemont are getting amongst Alan’s D+D game?

Anything you wanted to teach in your fantasy novels class I will happily watch and learn from if you wanna turn those lessons into videos

I'm here for the book youtuber dnd, only Phillip has to play the low int warrior and Jimmy goes full int spellcaster

Omg! Dr. Fantasy EXPOSED! He is a closet jock😱 😂😂😂

I'd love to join you on the Lord of the Rings reread. Please keep us posted. :-)

Phillip - got to the KJ Parker section - don’t do it. It will crush your heart (even though it is very very good). This is pseudonym for Tom Holt in case your familiar with his historical fiction novels But tbh - Parker is excellent so give it a try. I think you’ll enjoy it.

✌✌

Allen did you ever read Lone Wolf? Noone remembers it.

K J Parker wrote a book called “Who’s Afraid of Beowulf?” under his real name: Tom Holt. There’s word play for you.

Allen - can you do a short campaign for Booktubers ?

1:35:55

I wish I liked Kingkiller :( it drives me up the wall

Sadly everything that Allen has said about US’s views on education rang true. American culture focuses on money and worshipping celebrities. American culture values only that which puts money in your pocket. Not that money isn’t needed cause it is, but we need humanities, damn it. We need history, philosophy, literature, the arts, etc. I hate American University and everything about it, that’s one reason I dropped out of college twice, I didn’t want to deal with all the nonsense. Teachers don’t get paid enough. Yet the football coach makes way more, that’s absurd.

Allen should hire Philip's daughter for thumbnails. Maybe she could develop another style.